Deltona skips discussion on city manager's resignation

Published: Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 5:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 8, 2013 at 5:41 p.m.

The Deltona City Commission did the public a disservice by sweeping its opinions of the city manager under the rug, and voting to accept her resignation to avoid airing conflicts.

These kinds of personnel matters need to be an issue of public record. After all, the Deltona City Commission's job is to hire, evaluate and, if necessary, terminate the city manager — in public.

In January 2011, some commissioners favored firing City Manager Faith Miller. Two years later, Mayor John Masiarczyk made clear he was tired of such feuding affecting Deltona's reputation. Volusia County's largest city has a recent record of firings, sudden resignations and volatile feuding.

So Masiarczyk brought up Miller's resignation offer at the end of Monday night's meeting, despite the fact it wasn't on the agenda. The commission quickly accepted the resignation by a vote of 7-0.

The mayor wanted the issue to go away, and so it did — with Miller apparently exiting with at least a $133,000 severance package.

Some of the city commissioners said they were surprised by the resignation. It's unfortunate they did not pursue the opportunity to have a public discussion. The commission should have had a public discussion of the city manager's performance and the reasons for accepting a severance agreement.

The public is the loser in this tight-lipped process. The effort to appear congenial and united took precedence over public notice and public discussion.

It's understandable why the mayor wanted to accept Miller's resignation and move on. The city has had its share of firings and resignations. In April 2011, for instance, Gary Cooney, the former city attorney, resigned suddenly after controversy arose over his residency.

City Commissioner Chris Nabicht met with Miller on Friday and told her he planned to call for her firing if she didn't quit first. Nabicht may not have been a disinterested observer, given that Miller eliminated his job as deputy fire chief in 2011.

Miller mulled the information — perhaps considering that she only retained her job in January 2011 by one vote — and decided the handwriting was on the wall. On Monday, she called the mayor to offer her resignation.

Masiarczyk said he wanted to handle the issue as "adults," but keeping things quiet isn't the proper way to oversee city government.

Based on comments from Miller and the city commission's actions, it appears that Miller was basically forced out. Deltona residents should get a full accounting of why this occurred.

Masiarczyk wanted political quiet, despite the problem of Miller's rather large severance and her benefits — more reasons to have a robust discussion. The sudden resignation and the commission's acceptance of it are likely to create new friction and raise new questions.

Once again, it is necessary to remind all public boards: discuss public matters in public. Deltona leaders went the opposite way, trying to quash discussion and put a good face on yet another city government controversy.

<p>The Deltona City Commission did the public a disservice by sweeping its opinions of the city manager under the rug, and voting to accept her resignation to avoid airing conflicts. </p><p>These kinds of personnel matters need to be an issue of public record. After all, the Deltona City Commission's job is to hire, evaluate and, if necessary, terminate the city manager &mdash; in public. </p><p>In January 2011, some commissioners favored firing City Manager Faith Miller. Two years later, Mayor John Masiarczyk made clear he was tired of such feuding affecting Deltona's reputation. Volusia County's largest city has a recent record of firings, sudden resignations and volatile feuding. </p><p>So Masiarczyk brought up Miller's resignation offer at the end of Monday night's meeting, despite the fact it wasn't on the agenda. The commission quickly accepted the resignation by a vote of 7-0. </p><p>The mayor wanted the issue to go away, and so it did &mdash; with Miller apparently exiting with at least a $133,000 severance package. </p><p>Some of the city commissioners said they were surprised by the resignation. It's unfortunate they did not pursue the opportunity to have a public discussion. The commission should have had a public discussion of the city manager's performance and the reasons for accepting a severance agreement. </p><p>The public is the loser in this tight-lipped process. The effort to appear congenial and united took precedence over public notice and public discussion. </p><p>It's understandable why the mayor wanted to accept Miller's resignation and move on. The city has had its share of firings and resignations. In April 2011, for instance, Gary Cooney, the former city attorney, resigned suddenly after controversy arose over his residency. </p><p>City Commissioner Chris Nabicht met with Miller on Friday and told her he planned to call for her firing if she didn't quit first. Nabicht may not have been a disinterested observer, given that Miller eliminated his job as deputy fire chief in 2011. </p><p>Miller mulled the information &mdash; perhaps considering that she only retained her job in January 2011 by one vote &mdash; and decided the handwriting was on the wall. On Monday, she called the mayor to offer her resignation. </p><p>Masiarczyk said he wanted to handle the issue as "adults," but keeping things quiet isn't the proper way to oversee city government. </p><p>Based on comments from Miller and the city commission's actions, it appears that Miller was basically forced out. Deltona residents should get a full accounting of why this occurred. </p><p>Masiarczyk wanted political quiet, despite the problem of Miller's rather large severance and her benefits &mdash; more reasons to have a robust discussion. The sudden resignation and the commission's acceptance of it are likely to create new friction and raise new questions. </p><p>Once again, it is necessary to remind all public boards: discuss public matters in public. Deltona leaders went the opposite way, trying to quash discussion and put a good face on yet another city government controversy.</p>